January 05, 2018

Amazon%u2019s Alexa may eventually serve up ads | TechCrunch. Voice Assistants on the desktop, in the form of Amazon Echo and others are becoming ubiquitous. So, rumors of planned advertising on the Alexa platform are coming fast and furious. I can hear it now. Here's your flash briefing: (but first a word from our sponsor). Ads are everywhere on the Internet, and it is not a leap to expect them in voice assisted apps. To its credit, Amazon says there are no plans to add ads to Alexa. But, that sounds like a weak non denial denial. Hey, Amazon, if you want me to stop using your product, add ads that I can't ignore or pass through. The voice assistant meme will end quickly. It is only a matter of time until we see whether Amazon's "no plans" promise becomes a plan. We'll be watching, Amazon.

November 26, 2017

Google Express. Online shopping is about to get some competition. Google has entered the fray with Google Express, which allows the user to shop at any of many stores online. While it still isn't as comprehensive as Amazon, Google isn't known for doing things halfway; and, the destination is certain to be popular with shoppers who want to shop at a particular store. You can shop at Costco without being a member, and home delivery is available everywhere. We are rapidly getting to a world in which you don't have to drive anywhere to get anything you want delivered to you. Let's hope we don't become isolated pods of consumers that never leave our homes. If you are homebound, however, this type of experience will bring the world to you, and that is a good thing.

October 30, 2017

I went to Best Buy to buy a Pixel 2 and it was strange - CNET. No, this is not a TV Show review. If you want that, message me privately. This story is about an intrepid pundit for C/Net who ventured into a Verizon store and tried to buy a Pixel phone. That experience was chronicled earlier, and showed why a carrier store is not the place to go if you are unsure about what phone you want. This time, however, our brave shopper tried to go to Best Buy, where he was told he would get an unbiased, objective viewpoint. Which he did; but, it would have been nice if the Best Buy employee knew anything about Smartphones. Sigh. All of this goes to show that, if you want to buy a new Smartphone, do the research yourself, online, and buy the phone itself, online. If you don't know enough to make this decision yourself, learn. Jeez.

September 24, 2017

Not home? Walmart wants to walk in and stock your fridge | WWLP.com. In today's "Are You Kidding Me" segment, we discuss Walmart's new idea. Order groceries or other stuff online, and then give WalMart a code to get into your house to deliver it, or to put the groceries in the fridge. Now, I don't mind taking my life into my hands going to a WalMart to shop. Some things can't be unseen, however, and you can get PTSD in there. Now, the company wants to allow its employees to rummage around in my house? As a lawyer, I am now thinking of all the litigation possibilities in this situation. First, I foresee the employee filing a Worker's Compensation claim and a third party complaint against me when they contract some mold borne disease after sticking their hands in my fridge. Or, one of the dogs attacks them while they are walking into the kitchen. Now, you would have to contact your insurance carrier to make sure you have coverage for persons entering your home. When the employee botches the code, and the alarm system summons the police, and the employee is arrested, you can add other charges to your indictment. The home is the last bastion of safety in a dangerous world. Walmart, what are you thinking?

July 13, 2017

Lawphrases Good friend, Charlie Fincher, a talented legal artist, fellow lawyer, and all around nice guy, has a new company that puts clever law related phrases on T-Shirts. You can also put your favorite legalism on a coffee mug and other products. I have Fincher art hanging on the walls of my office, and his stuff never fails to put a smile on my face. Check him out. If you buy something, I am sure he will buy me a beer; but, since he thinks anyone living in Florida is a Cabana boy, he will probably make me get it myself.

July 11, 2017

Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more. It is Prime Day, which means thousands of discounts on everything Amazon sells. It is only for Prime members; but, if you don't have a $99 a year membership, you can get one today for $79. Best money you will ever spend. Check out some of the discounts available. I guarantee there will be stuff you don't think you can live without. Shop on.

Lawyer,Poet, author, educator. Practices real property, corporation, wills, trusts and estates law in Pinellas County, Florida. Writes the FutureLawyer column. Gives seminars on technology and the law. Author of "Life is Simple, Really", Poems about Life, Loving, Family and Fun.